CN1980605A - X-ray apparatus, in paticular mammographic x-ray apparatus with a light-emitting diode indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

The aim of the invention is to illuminate an x-ray field with little effort on the surface of a patient. Said aim is achieved by an x-ray apparatus, especially a mammographic x-ray apparatus (1.1), which comprises an x-ray (11.1) that is generated by an x-ray source (5.1) and can be delimited by a diaphragm (4.1) and in which LEDs (6) are disposed outside the x-ray between the x-ray source (5.1) and the diaphragm (4.1) as indicating means, said LEDs being distributed along the outer circumference of the x-ray (11.1). Furthermore, the illuminating beam (7.1) of the LEDs (6) is directed in an undeflected fashion onto the x-ray field. In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one LED (6.2) is mounted on a filter array (3) that is fixed between the X-ray source (5.2) and the diaphragm (4.2) such that said LED (6.2) can be swiveled away from the X-ray (11.2).

Description

X-ray apparatus, especially mammography apparatus, with indicating means in the form of light-emitting diodes

technical field

The invention relates to an x-ray system according to the general concept of claim 1 and according to the general concept of claim 2 , in particular a mammography system; such an x-ray system is known from DE 199 43 898 A1.

Background technique

The mammography system has an indicator device by means of which the patient surface and/or the area of the x-ray radiation on the object rest table is checked prior to the actual x-ray exposure in order to ensure, for example, that the correct aperture has been selected. An incandescent bulb is usually provided here as a pointing device, which is arranged next to the x-ray path. The light beam of the incandescent lamp, which is initially perpendicular to the X-ray, is deflected to the radiation direction of the X-ray by the reflector arranged in the X-ray path. During the actual x-ray recording, the mirror is turned out of the x-ray path or remains in the x-ray path as long as it is transparent to the x-rays.

DE 19943898 A1 discloses an indicator device in the form of a laser diode, especially suitable for use in X-ray equipment as a surgical aid, which is arranged on the X-ray detector or on the X-ray source in order to visualize the X-ray-penetrated area or area of x-ray radiation on the surface of the patient. The indicator device is adapted to the geometry of the x-rays, in particular the magnitude of the aperture angle, for example by transmitting to the indicator device a signal for changing the aperture opening of the diaphragm.

Contents of the invention

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to simplify, in such an x-ray system, in particular a mammography system, the irradiation of the x-ray radiation region prior to the x-ray exposure in a cost-effective manner.

This technical problem is solved in an x-ray system, in particular a mammography system, according to the general concept of claim 1 or claim 2 by the teaching of its characterizing parts; preferred configurations are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

An x-ray system according to the invention, in particular a mammography system, offers the following advantages by arranging the indicator device between the x-ray source and the aperture and by collimating the radiation beam without deflection: the aperture is not only used for shaping the x-rays It also serves to shape the irradiating light without deflecting it; complex controls for aligning the indicator are eliminated, and the pivotable mirror becomes superfluous, which results in a compact and maintenance-free construction.

In a manner that facilitates a compact and simple construction of the x-ray device, at least one light-emitting diode is fastened to a filter device assigned to the x-ray device and located between the x-ray source and the diaphragm. Since filter arrangements are basically provided in most x-ray systems, only the light-emitting diode needs to be fixed. When there are several light-emitting diodes surrounding the x-rays, the light-emitting diodes are arranged on a common annular carrier in a manner suitable for a particularly simple arrangement.

Description of drawings

The invention and other preferred configurations are explained in more detail below with the aid of exemplary embodiments shown schematically in the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a known mammography apparatus with an incandescent lamp and deflecting mirrors for irradiating an area of x-ray radiation in a side view;

Fig. 2 shows the mammography apparatus of the present invention with a plurality of light-emitting diodes arranged on an annular support to illuminate the X-ray radiation area in a side view;

Fig. 3 shows the annular support of Fig. 2 with top view;

FIG. 4 shows a mammography apparatus according to the invention with at least one light-emitting diode arranged on the filter device to illuminate the x-ray radiation area in a side view;

FIG. 5 shows the filter arrangement and at least one light emitting diode of FIG. 4 in a detailed view.

Detailed ways

FIG. 1 shows a known mammography apparatus 1 , the main components of which include an x-ray source 5 and a detector, in particular an object rest table 2 equipped with an x-ray film. During the examination, an x-ray source 5 generates an x-ray beam 11 which serves to image an examination object of the patient, not explicitly shown, onto a detector. The aperture 4 is arranged in such a way that it can limit the x-ray beam 11 by shading a partial area. Before the actual x-ray recording, the x-ray radiation area on the patient surface or on the object rest table 2 is checked by means of the radiation beam 7 generated by the incandescent lamp 12 and deflected by the mirror 13 in the direction of the x-ray radiation area. The incandescent lamp 12 and the reflector 13 are adjusted in such a way that the radiation beam 7 and the x-ray beam 11 cover the surface of the patient or object rest table 2 substantially completely. In order not to block the x-ray beam 11 , the mirror 13 can be transparent to x-rays or can be tilted out of the x-ray beam 11 .

FIG. 2 shows a mammography system 1.1 according to the invention, in which a plurality of light-emitting diodes 6 are arranged between the x-ray source 5.1 and the diaphragm 4.1, and the radiation beam 7.1 is aimed at the x-ray radiation area without deflection. The absence of deflection does not preclude the use of lenses to correct the irradiating light in the range of up to 15°. The radiation ray 7.1 is limited by the aperture 4.1 by positioning the light-emitting diodes between the x-ray source 5.1 and the aperture 4.1 such that the radiation field of the radiation ray on the surface of the patient and/or object rest table 2 corresponds to the X-ray beam 11.1 of the X-ray beam 11.1. The ray radiation areas basically overlap. The light-emitting diodes are arranged distributed across the outer contour of the x-ray beam 11 . 1 outside the x-ray beam 11 . 1 , so that the light-emitting diodes do not damage the x-ray beam and cannot themselves be damaged by the x-ray beam. The light-emitting diodes are advantageously arranged on a common annular carrier 10 .

FIG. 3 shows a detailed plan view of such an annular carrier 10 with light-emitting diodes 6 , an x-ray source 5 . 1 and an x-ray beam 11 . The ring holder 10 is designed or arranged in such a way that the x-ray beam 11.1 can pass through the center of the ring holder without hindrance.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention of an x-ray system 1 . 2 with at least one light-emitting diode 6 . 2 attached to an existing filter device 3 . In order to achieve greater brightness, more light-emitting diodes can also be provided. The filter device 3 arranged between the x-ray source 5.2 and the diaphragm 4.2 is generally used to place individual filters 8.1; 8.2; 8.3 into the x-ray beam which filter out frequencies not required for the x-ray recording. At least one light-emitting diode 6.2 is preferably positioned in the filter arrangement 3, in particular at the position of a filter 8.1; 8.2; 8.3, and can deflect the x-ray beam 11.2. For irradiation of the x-ray radiation area, the filter device 3 is deflected such that at least one light-emitting diode 6.2 is located precisely in the radiation path of the x-ray beam 11.2 and the radiation beam 7.2 substantially coincides with the x-ray beam 11.2. Expediently at least one light emitting diode 6.2 deflects the x-ray beam 11.2 by rotating the filter device 3 about its longitudinal axis. For the x-ray recording, the required filters (8.1; 8.2; 8.3) located at the position of the LEDs are deflected into the radiation path.

Fig. 5 shows the filter device 3 shown in Fig. 4 and 4 holders provided for the filter, 3 individual filters (8.1; 8.2; 8.3) arranged in the holder and a filter position in the holder A detailed view of at least one light-emitting diode 6.2.

The invention can be briefly summarized as follows: In order to irradiate an area of x-ray radiation on the surface of a patient cost-effectively, in an x-ray system, in particular a mammography system, with an x-ray beam generated by an x-ray source and delimited by a diaphragm , the light-emitting diode is arranged between the X-ray source and the diaphragm as an indicator device, and is distributed outside the X-ray beam across the outer contour of the X-ray beam, and the irradiation light of the light-emitting diode is aimed at the X-ray radiation without deflection Region; In a further embodiment of the invention at least one light-emitting diode is fastened on a filter device arranged between the x-ray source and the diaphragm so that it can be deflected out of the x-ray beam.

Claims (6)

1. An X-ray apparatus, in particular a mammography apparatus, having an X-ray beam (11.1) generated by an X-ray source (5.1) and limited by a diaphragm (4.1) for generating an X-ray image of a patient, and Irradiation light (7.1) generated by a pointing device in the form of a light-emitting diode (6) is used to irradiate the corresponding X-ray radiation area of the patient's surface, characterized in that The light emitting diode (6) is arranged between the X-ray source (5.1) and the diaphragm (4.1), and the irradiation light (7.1) of the light emitting diode (6) is aimed at the X-ray radiation area without deflection; The light-emitting diodes (6) are arranged distributed outside the x-ray beam (11.1) across the outer contour of the x-ray beam. 2. An X-ray device, in particular a mammography device, having an X-ray beam (11.2) generated by an X-ray source (5.2) and limited by a diaphragm (4.2) for generating an X-ray image of a patient, and Irradiation light (7.2) generated by an indicator device in the form of at least one light-emitting diode (6.2) is used to irradiate the corresponding X-ray radiation area of the patient's surface, characterized in that The at least one light-emitting diode (6.2) is arranged between the X-ray source (5.2) and the diaphragm (4.2), and the irradiation light (7.2) of the light-emitting diode (6.2) is aimed at the X-ray radiation area without deflection; The at least one light emitting diode (6.2) can deflect an X-ray beam (11.2). 3. The X-ray device according to claim 1, characterized in that the light emitting diodes (6) are arranged on a common annular support (10). 4. The X-ray device according to claim 2, having a filter device (3) arranged between the X-ray source (5.2) and the diaphragm (4.2), characterized in that the at least one light-emitting diode (6.2) Fastened to the filter unit (3). 5. X-ray device according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one light emitting diode (6.2) can be positioned in the filter arrangement (3), in particular in a filter (8.1; 8.2 ; 8.3) and can deflect the X-ray beam (11.2). 6. The X-ray device according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one light-emitting diode (6.2) deflects the X-rays by rotating the filter device (3) about its longitudinal axis bundle (11.2).